Heat exchange apparatus



Nov. 13, 1934. H, LEACH 1,980,626

HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Filed April 7, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ago 020 0 0 o o 0 Patented Nov. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,980,626 HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Charles H.Leach, Roselle, N. J. Application April 7, 1934, Serial No. 719,502

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to heat exchange apparatus for the refining and condensation of hot oil vapor, and is more particularly concerned with apparatus of this type designed for the employment of relativelyhigh pressures on the cooling liquid side.

The purpose and object of the invention is to improve heat exchange apparatus of the tubular type in a manner to safeguard the construction when employed with high pressure cooling liquid, and to accomplish this result without defeating the efliciency of the apparatus or substantially increasing the difficulty incident to dismantling and replacement or tightening ofthe tubes.

With this and other objects in view, I have replaced the usual cover member connected to the base for detachably closing the liquid passages by a series of smaller cover members, each serving to seal a liquid space, and each engaging with the base in such a manner that pressure within the space tends to increase sealing'engagement. In connection with the use of these members, I have also modified. and changed the complementary features of the apparatus, together with the path of cooling liquid flow, to maintain the desired efllciency of heat exchange without substantially lowering the efliciency.

In a simple and efficient form of the invention embodying this principle, I provide a circular base which is divided essentially by ribs into four quadrant-shaped liquid spaces. Eachof these liquid spaces communicates with the tubular cooling system through a series of quadrant-shaped floating heads, the floating heads being staggered with respect to the liquid spaces through an angle of approximately in order that the liquid flow shall pass from a fluid space into the cooling tubes, thence through the floating head, at which it is reversed and returned to the next adjacent quadrant liquid space; in other words, the flow being progressive and reversed at opposite ends of the tubular system by the liquid spaces and floating heads, respectively. The liquid spaces or passages are free from partitions or the like except for that space at which cooling liquid enters the exchanger, this space being conveniently divided by a mid-partition, the cooling liquid entering at one side of the partition and being'withdrawn therefrom at the opposite side of the partition.

This entrance and exit space is more conveniently sealed by an external bolted-on cover which, due to its comparatively small area and freedom from distortion stresses because of this fact, may be tightly sealed without danger of leakage.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 represents a section in elevation of a heat exchanger ,embodying the features of the invention, with one bank of tubes shown therein, the remaining banks being omitted for purposes of clarity; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the heat exchanger shown in Fig. 1;

section upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5

is a section upon the line 5-5 of Fig. l. I

The heat exchanger shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention is provided with a circular base member 10, which may be in the form of a casting, forging or the like, this base member having an upstanding circumferential flange 12 which surrounds and provides one or more condensate basins. The integral transverse web 14 forming a part of the'base provides a tube sheet into which are connected at their lower ends a series of'cooling tubes 16, as will be evident. At the opposite side of the tube support the base provides a series of cooling liquid spaces or passages. These are formed by a depending circumferential flange 18, which in conjunction with intermediate cross-ribs 20 and 22, as indicated more particularly .in Fig. 2, form aseries of four quadrant-shaped chambers bounded by. the circumferential flange 18. These quadrantshaped chambers are each closed by a detachable cover member designed to seal the chambers duringthe operation of the exchanger. Cooling liquid is admitted through an inlet nozzle 24 and removed through an outlet nozzle 26, the two nozzles being formed in the flange 18 adjacent to one another, and handling the cooling liquid, from opposite sides of a single quadrant space divided by amid-partition 28, as'shown particularly in Fig. '3.

In the present construction the cooling liquid is caused to flow progressively through the tubular system in eight successive passes, which may be designated for purposes of description as A to H, inclusive. .The first pa-ss'indicated as A, communicates with the inlet chamber, and afterpassing through the cooling tubes is reversed at the opposite endby a-floating head which directs the cooling liquid into the second pass of tubes B. These tubes communicate at their lower ends with a portion of the next succeeding quadrant space, indicated in Fig. 3, which serves to redirect the liquid into the succeeding pass C, p where the operation is repeated.

From a comparison of Figs.- 3 and 4, which show sections reSpectiVely, above and below the tube sheet, it will be evident thatthe tube quadrants are staggered with respect to the liquid quadrants approximately 45 so that each floating head quadrant straddles two succeeding liquid passages at the opposite end of the system, and in alike manner .each quadrant liquid passage straddles each twosucceeding floating heads, so that the floating heads and the liquid passages in the base. each serve to bridge one another for the successive and continuous flow of the cooling liquid.-

This method of construction will be evident from a comparison of Figs. 3, 4 and 5, where the ribs 20 and 22 providing the quadrant liquid passages below the tube sheet are shown in their proper relationship to the tube bank quadrants, which are divided as indicated generally by the dotted sections 30 and 32, these quadrants again being shown in Fig. 4. Only two vapor passes are provided by a single central partition 36, which extends upwardly lengthwise of the shell, with two quadrant tube banks upon each side. The enclosing shell may. be formed in two parts, a lower portion 40 including the vapor inlet and outlet nozzles 42 and 44, and an upper portion 46 having a domed head 48 formed integral therewith by welding or otherwise. The two sections are bolted to one another through flanges 50 and to the base through bolting flanges 52, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The quadrant-shaped floating heads are indicated at 54, and may be of usual construction comprising a base portion 56 into which the tube ends are rolled, and a detachable cover portion 58 bolted thereto, the arrangement of the floating head quadrants being shown more particularly in Fig. 5.

The base member may be and preferably is divided by the'section ribs 30 and 32 into four quadrant-shaped condensate basins, each having a domed surface to shed condensate therefrom, and each provided with a condensate drain 60, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The liquid passages formed in the base member and subjected to high pressure cooling liquid are closed by quadrant-shaped cover members 62, each of which is provided with a seating shoulder 64 resting upon an inwardly extending supporting ledge 65 formed at the lower end of theflange 18. Due to the shape of the opening in the chamber, the cover members may be inserted therein and then assembled with the shoulder resting on the ledge in sealing position. Sealing engagement is secured by a series of holding or clamping yokes 68, each provided with a holding bolt threaded into the cover, and each engaging at its opposite ends with the supporting flange 18 and ribs 20 or 22. The joint between the cover and flange may be provided with a sealing gasket '72.

With this construction the securing'bolts are not called upon to resist the pressure thrust within the chamber which merely tends to force the covers in tighter engagement with the seats and increase sealing engagement. This method of construction is satisfactory for sealing three of the four quadrant chambers where no partition rib is required, and whereaccordingly the covers may be inserted through the openings in the bottom of the chambers. At the entrance and exit chamber, however, provided with the mid-rib 28, it is desirable to use a single external bolted cover, and this is accordingly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the cover having the general contour of the chamber and being flat, as indicated at 7.5. This flat cover is bolted externally tothe flange and cross ribs through bolting connections 77. The cover and flange may be also provided with cooperating tongue and groove '78 to enhance sealing engagement. Due to its relatively small size, the problem of externally sealing this joint. even under substantial pressures, is not serious, particularly as the circumferential flange 18 in conjunction with the cross ribs 20 and 22 adequately brace and reinforce the base member against distortion due to the pressures.

-provide separate liquid sectors in conjunction tion and claims is intended to define a member constituting a support for the tubes independently of the-manner or direction in which the tubes project therefrom. For example, inversion of the unit with a series of tubes depending from an upper supportwould not alter its function as I a tube support or base member.

What is claimed is: 4

1. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a supporting base, radially disposed ribs to form liquid spaces, a tubular cooling system connected with the base and communicating with the spaces, and ,a detachable cover member for at least one of the spaces seating with the pressure against the base.

2. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a circular base member having a circumferential flange and radial ribs to provide separate liquid sectors, a separate cover member for each sector detachably connected with the base, and a tubular cooling system communicating with the liquid sectors.

'3. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a circular base, radial partitions dividing the'base into liquid sectors, cooling tubes communicating with each sector, a series of floating head sectors connected with opposite ends of the cooling tubes, each floating head sector bridging two successive sectors at the opposite ends of the cooling tubes, and a series of individual cover sectors connected to the base and sealing the passages.

4. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a base, a peripheral flange, generally radial partitions to with the flange, a series of internally supported cover members for the sectors, cooling tubes communicating with the sectors, and floating heads at the opposite ends of the tubes each bridging two successive sectors.

5. Heat exchange apparatus compris ng a base, a peripheral flange, generally radial partitions to provide separate liquid sectors in conjunction with the flange, a series of internally supported cover members for the sectors, cooling tubes communicating with the sectors, floating heads at the opposite ends of the tubes each bridging two successive sectors, liquid inlet and outlet nozzles communicating with one of the sectors, and means for separating the sector in communication therewith into separate chambers.

6. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a base, a peripheral flange, generally radial partitions to provide separate liquid sectors in conjunction with the flange, a series of internally supported 130 cover members for the sectors, cooling tubes communicating with the sectors, floating heads at the opposite ends of the tubes each bridging two successive sectors, liquid inlet and outlet nozzles communicating with one of the sectors, means '13; for separating the sector in communication therewith into separate chambers, and a cover member externally connected to the inlet and outlet sector.

'7. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a base 14C member of circular conformation, a series of cooling liquid sectors formed at one side of the base member, cooling tubes connected to the base and communicating with the sectors, floating head sectors at the opposite ends of the cooling tubes 14: staggered with relation to the sectors and each bridging two'successive cooling liquid sectors, and means for sealing the cooling liquid sectors in the base.

CHARLES H.. LEACH. 

